title: Supramolecular complexes of quantum dots and a polyamidoamine (PAMAM)-folate derivative for molecular imaging of cancer cells.
abstract: Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers and water-soluble 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-capped CdSe quantum dots (QDs) were combined to produce a new gel containing supramolecular complexes of QDs/PAMAM dendrimers. The formation of the QDs/PAMAM supramolecular complexes was confirmed by high resolution electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. Molecular dynamics simulations corroborated the structure of the new QDs/PAMAM-based supramolecular compound. Finally, on the basis of the prominent fluorescent properties of the supramolecular complexes, PAMAM dendrimer was functionalized with folic acid to produce a new QDs/PAMAM-folate derivative that showed an efficient and selective performance as a marker for gastric cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Asymmetric Synthesis, Chemistry Institute of Natural Resources, Universidad de Talca, PO Box 747, Talca, Chile.
authors.forename: Daniela A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Geraldo
authors.forename: Esteban F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Duran-Lara
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aguayo
authors.forename: Raul E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Cachau
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tapia
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Esparza
authors.forename: Miguel J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yacaman
authors.forename: Fernando Danilo
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Nilo
authors.forename: Leonardo S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D045663:Quantum Dots; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D050091:Dendrimers; C104700:PAMAM Starburst; D005492:Folic Acid